Anyone here going to Anime Expo in a few weeks?  There's a model contest: http://www.anime-expo.org/convention-info/programming/artists/model-building-contest/

Also the schedules for the event are out:
Day 1: http://www.anime-expo.org/download/AX2008_Schedule_Day1.pdf
Day 2: http://www.anime-expo.org/download/AX2008_Schedule_Day2.pdf
Day 3: http://www.anime-expo.org/download/AX2008_Schedule_Day3.pdf
Day 4: http://www.anime-expo.org/download/AX2008_Schedule_Day4.pdf

And the important thing is the following:
Gundam Model Building And Resin Figure Workshop:
Day 1; 7:00 - 9:00 WS1 Romm 304
Day 2: 4:30 - 6:30 WS1 Room 304
Day 3: 6:00 - 8:00 WS2 Room 511

Los Angeles Convention Center, July 3-6 2008

There is always Otakon: August 8-10: http://www.otakon.com which is a really big east coast anime convention.  They have a model contest, and this year, I will be there to host a model building panel similar to the one I do at Anime Expo.  It's in Baltimore, which is roughtly 4-5 hours south of Philly.  I recommend you try going to that event.  Definitely worth it.

It is an anime convention: http://www.otakon.com

Read through the site.  The model contest is only a small part of the event.  The event is rather large, like 20-30k people walking around.  If you're an hour away, it is definitely worth checking out.   Hell, I'm flying out there from Los Angeles :D